Toyota to bring hybrid Prius into RP market next week

MANILA, Philippines - Toyota Motor Philippines (TMP) will bring the hybrid Prius into the country next week.

The announcement came despite a notable slowdown in consumer demand which has affected the local automotive industry.

TMP vice chairman Alfred Ty in an earlier interview disclosed that they will be bringing the Prius to the Philippines.

According to Ty, there is a market for hybrid vehicles here even if these environmentally friendly cars are pricier than normal vehicles. He said they have been receiving inquiries on when Toyota will sell hybrid cars.

“We will start with the Prius first. We have a go signal for this,” Ty noted.

Ty said they have not yet determined the local price of the Prius . “There is no price range yet.” The Toyota website stated that the starting price for the 2009 Prius is $22,000 or more than P1 million.

However, the price here may differ given importation charges and various taxes which will add to the cost of the car.

Ty said they will ask for incentives from the government to at least lessen the taxes.“The government has to help. It can’t be a one way thing,” Ty said. “We would like to get subsidies but that is still in the process,” he added.

 In a previous interview, TMP president Hiroshi Ito said the Prius is very costly to import very costly to import hybrid vehicles. “The government needs to give incentives.”

According to Ito, they have not formally asked the Board of Investments (BOI) for incentives but he said Toyota is willing to spearhead the move to get more perks for being environment friendly.

Even though hybrid cars are more expensive, Ito said they have been getting inquiries regarding hybrid vehicles. “There is a demand,” Ito said.

Ito said they are projecting to sell 50 units per month should Toyota finally decide to sell hybrid vehicles in the country.

Toyota said they are unable to bring hybrid cars here given the road conditions in the country. When asked about this, Ty said “things have changed.” He explained that even if the road conditions remain the same, the Prius has evolved. The Prius that will be introduced here in the country is the third generation Prius. ”The technology for this has improved.”